Pipe Protection Advanced Applications in Oil & Gas

Pipes are the backbone of the oil & gas industry, as such, it should come as no surprise that pipe protection and keeping them safe from the elements is of the utmost importance to those responsible for routine maintenance. When it comes to moving large quantities of fuel, preventing corrosion can make the difference between a smooth-running operation and an environmental disaster. That’s why pipe protection should be taken extremely seriously.

Recent Advances

Today’s supply pipes are required to be treated with specially formulated anti-corrosive coatings. Most companies also choose to go the extra mile and include optional extra coatings. This can be accomplished via composite pipes with fusion-bonded epoxy, three-year polyolefins, single and double layer FBE, or concrete weight coatings.

Choosing the Right Coating

Advanced topographical computing is used to plan out what type of coatings should be used in different areas. In addition to reducing the propagation of cracks via advanced planning, many companies also use remote monitoring to ensure the continued viability of pipes and pipe protection products.

Protecting Tubular Goods

The oil country tubular goods most frequently used in both gas and oil wells are comprised of things like drill pipe and wall casings fabricated from advanced materials such as seamless hot rolled steel. This equipment must be properly maintained from its initial manufacturing to its eventual decommissioning if it is to hold up to extreme weather and general wear and tear. Only the highest-quality materials should be used in the fabrication of protective products.

Minimizing Downtime

When pipes crack or become otherwise damaged, it can lead to unnecessary downtime while they are replaced, which can be disastrous in the oil rig industry. A better alternative is to preemptively treat pipe to prevent damage before it happens.

Increasing Efficiency

The technology used to prevent corrosion in important piping has come a long way in recent years, so it’s no surprise that many companies are beginning to treat or replace older steel piping. Many commercial applications require the use of chemical injections of corrosion inhibitors and drag reducers to prevent fractures, which can lead to pressure drops across their systems.